Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya
एवमुक्त्वा स्थितं वीक्ष्य कृताञ्जलिपुटं द्विजम् प्राह गंभीरया वाचा शक्ररूपधरो हरः
evamuktvā sthitaṃ vīkṣya kṛtāñjalipuṭaṃ dvijam prāha gaṃbhīrayā vācā śakrarūpadharo haraḥ
ครั้นกล่าวดังนั้นแล้ว พระหระผู้ทรงรูปศักระทอดพระเนตรพราหมณ์ผู้ยืนประนมมือ แล้วตรัสด้วยพระสุรเสียงอันหนักแน่น
Shiva (Hara) in the form of Indra (Shakra-rupa)
It highlights the devotional posture—añjali (folded palms) and humility—by which the pashu (individual soul) approaches Pati (Śiva), a foundational mood for Linga-pūjā where reverence precedes instruction and grace.
Śiva-tattva is shown as sovereign and free (svatantra): Hara can assume any form (here, Śakra/Indra) while remaining the inner Lord, guiding beings through compassionate speech that leads from pasha (bondage) toward clarity.
The verse foregrounds añjali and attentive stillness—core disciplines of bhakti and Pāśupata-oriented surrender—where the seeker stands composed, receptive to the guru-like instruction of Śiva.